Self-cleaning cup ring



May 2l, 1929. G. A.` GAGE.

I SELF CLEANING CUP RING Filed Aug. 15 1928 IN VEN TOR.

ATToRNEX Patented May 2l, 19279.

SELF-CLEANING y RING.

Application'led August 13, 1928. Serial No. 299,299.

My invention relates to plungers for Well 2 pumps and more particularlyto cup rings employed on a plunger for spacing andsecuring ythe packingcups in proper' spaced relation on a plunger stem; the principal objectof the invention being to eliminate sand or sediment which vmay passinto the joints between the rings and the stem, and thereby preventbinding of the rings on the stem so that the rings may be easily andquickly removed for the replacement of worn parts of the plunger. l

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, Ihaveprovided improved details of structure the preferred forms of whichare illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Y

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary sectional view of a pump barrel showing aplunger therein litted with my improved cup rings.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a plunger with the cup members and oneof the cup rings shown in section to better illustrate their mounting onthe plunger-stem, and the valve cage beingl partly broken away todisclose the plunger.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section von the line 3 3, Fig. 2 showing theslots in a cup ring communicating with the walls of the plunger stem.

Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of'one of the cup rings.

Referring in detail to the drawings:

l designates a portion of an ordinary well pump including a pump barrel2 and a plunger 3, which when the pump is installed in a Well foroperation, is reciprocable in the barrel by means of the usual suckerrods connected with actuating `means (not shown) at the top of a well.

The plunger 3 includes a tubular stemj4 carrying a valve cage 5 and aseries of spacedy packing units 6 including my improvements for sealingthe plunger in its working relation with the barrel. i

Provided at opposite endsof the stem 4 are threaded portions 7 and 8 andformed slightly below the upper threaded portion 8` is a collar portion9 providing a stop shoulder 10 which serves to retain the upper packingunit on the stem.

The packing units 6 include packing cups 11 and cup rings l2 mounted onthe portion of the stem below the stop shoulder 10 in alternate order aspresently described. Y

per packing cup is adapted ed of leather, have central openings 13 forreceiving the stem 4, and in 'assembly thel open ends of the cups aredirected upwardly, the upper cup ofthe series receiving the 'collarportion 9and havingfits bottom-in abutment with the shoulder 10, and itsside `wallsextending over a substantialarea of the` collar relationlrel. l Y l Next in order of assembly below the upf a cupv ringl12jhaving an upper portion 14 substantially equal in diameter 'to theoi1tsicle=di`ameter-of a packing cup, and a lower portion 15 adapted tofit the interior of a packing cup, said portions being connected by anannular concave web-like portion 16. A central opening 17 in the ringreceives the stem 4 and a tapered counterbore 18 at the upper end'of thering is for seating the bottom of a superimposed packing cup as shown inFig. A2.

Formed in the concave wall portion 16 of portion. 9 for retention insealing `with the walls 'of the pump barthe ring are angularly disposedslots 19 communicating with the central opening 17, the slots beingpreferably arcuate and equally spaced and 'inclined in the samedirection relative. to the periphery of the ring, so that relativelynarrow slots extending at an inpasses downwardly between the ring andthe Y stem when the plunger is in operation.

The additional packing units comprising the sealing element of theplunger are composed of rings and cups identical in construction tothose above described assembled on the stem in alternate order andsecurely retained on the stem lbelow the collar portion g by nuts 20engaging the threaded p0rtion The valve cage 5 mounted on the upper endof the stem 4 by its threaded engagement with the threaded portion 8includes the usual pin 21 whereby thel plunger is connected with theactuating sucker rods, and a ball check valve 22 in the cage cooperateswitha seat 23 for preventing return How` of fluid through the plungerwhen it isin operation.

The packingcups 11, preferably construct-V slot extending j Cup rings ofthe character described may be mounted on a plunger stem to space thecups and will serve as cup spacers in the usualmanner. Then the plungeris operated more or less sedimentary mattei' suchV as sand may lodge onthe stem adjacent the ring and tend to pass inwardly of the bore thereofbetween the ring Wall and the stem.,

When the plunger is dismantled for re pairs and replacements, sliding ofthe rings over the stem causes the rings to move over the sedimentaryparticles, `and these particles are discharged from the rings throughthe slots. 'The angular positions of the slots extending in acircumferential direction provide that the particles are effective forbinding the rings over a relatively short path, and escape before theyhave seriously iinpeded he movements of the rings or caused extensivedamage to the stem and rings.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: y

l. In combination with a plunger for Well pumpsV including a ystem andpacking cups on the stein, cup rings on the stein for spacing said cupshaving arcuate slots in their side walls for relieving sediment, toprevent binding of the rings on said stein.

2. In a plunger ior Well pumps including a stem having a lthroughchannel, and packing cups on the stem, cup rings on the stem for spacingsaid cups and having anguiarly disposed slots in their wallscommunicating with the wails of said stem 'for relieving .sediment andthereby preventing binding of said rings on said stem.

3. In a plunger 'for VWell pumps including a stem and packing cups onthe stem, cup rings on the stein each having a cup-re ceiving taperedseat, a central opening receiving said stem, and ports Communicatingwith said opening ier passage of sediment from the openino.

et. A ring for the purposes described comprising a body having a concavecuter face, an axial opening, and similarly inclined slots communicatingWith said opening..

In testimony whereof l aiiix my signature.

GEORGE A. GAGE.

